§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that steel plates of suitable dimensions for the building of the oil tanker at Devonport are being sent away from that yard, thus involving delay in the work or else the use of plates of unsuitable dimensions with consequent wastage of material; where such plates are going; and whether they could be obtained from other and more convenient places in less time and with less expense for transporting?
§ Sir J. CRAIGAll surplus plates were handed over to the Disposal Board before it was decided to build an oil tanker at Devonport. When the decision to build this ship was given, steps were taken to withdraw from sale all mild steel plates already handed over to the Disposal Board, and instructions were issued that no further quantities of this description were to be disposed of. Materials so withdrawn and other quantities remaining in stock are being used so far as suitable for oil tankers now building at Devonport and Pembroke. Of the steel plates that had already been sold, certain quantities remaining at Devonport awaiting removal were re-2198W ported to be suitable for use on the oil tankers. The Disposal Board was consulted as regards these, but considered it was impracticable to cancel the sales. No delay has taken place in the construction of the ship consequent on the sale of these plates, neither have plates of unsuitable dimensions been used. Those in question were stock plates of Admiralty quality in large covering sizes, and requirements for the oilers are being met by the purchase of plates to Lloyd's tests of actual sizes required.